EDWARDIAN ERA – CIRCA 1901 – 1914

by on June 12, 2018

The Edwardian Era covered the reign of King Edward VII, son of Queen Elizabeth, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain. This period was a change from traditionalism to growth, wealth, the fine arts and fashionable style of dress. Beautifully well-attired men and women were known to have attended parties where socializing was considered a part of high society.

Fine jewelry was worn by the king and his style became the customary style of the country. The oxyacetylene torch was created in the early 1900’s to allow Master Jewelers to work in platinum that required high temperatures to create their works of art. Delicate is the word to describe all jewelry from this era. Motifs of garlands, ribbons, lace and bow knots, to name a few, could be found in rings, bracelets, necklaces and brooches. Diamonds decorated the workmanship of lighter lacy platinum jewelry. Milgrain, a line of platinum dots, enhanced the Edwardian jewelry, giving it a delicate finished touch. Platinum bar pins, magnificently pierced and adorned with diamonds, were also in vogue. Although diamond studs were common at the beginning of the era, it gave way to dangle earrings with fine piercing, milgrain and diamonds, with motifs, as described above. It was an era when jewelers took all the time they needed to create their fantastical pieces of wearable art.

 

6.12.18

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VICTORIAN ERA – ANTIQUE BROOCH – PENDANT

by on June 7, 2018

 

Jewelry changed during her reign and went from heavy and cumbersome designs, almost masculine, when she was younger to very somber jewelry after the death of Prince Albert. A lighter style jewelry took over later on. Popular stones were agate, amber, emerald, garnet, seed pearls and turquoise, to name a few. The engagement ring given to Queen Victoria was an emerald set in a serpent head.

Starting in approximately the 1860’s, hair jewelry, to commemorate a loved one or a family member who had passed on, was worn. After Prince Albert’s death, mourning jewelry was frequently worn. It would have been made of jet, black onyx and gold.

Common motifs were themes such as hands, love knots, vines and leaves. Colored stones were worn in the evening and transparent stones during the day. Large brooches with matching bracelets, pendants with enamel and seed pearls, cameos with coral, shell and lava stone were customary. By the end of the Victorian Era, nicer stones were being used such as rose cut or old mine cut diamonds, ruby and zircon set in gold. The Victorian Era was known for the very distinctive style as dictated by the jewelry worn by the Queen.

Here is an Antique brooch or pendant crafted in 14 karat yellow gold with leaf work in the center covered in seed pearls. It is surrounded by green enamel and another line of seed pearls. Although the chain is modern, the pendant is distinctively late Victorian.

J36901

6.7.18

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WHY BUY ANTIQUE JEWELRY?

by on June 6, 2018

You ask, “Why Buy Antique Jewelry?” Uniqueness is the simple answer. When purchasing antique jewelry which is 50 years old or older, you are acquiring something from another time; something that may be rare and something that is definitely different from what you see in most jewelry stores. Consider perusing an Estate & Antique Jewelry Store, like ours. Estate simply means previously owned. You will often come across that special Antique Jewelry find and maybe something from another time period that has specific unique characteristics.

 

 

A ring from the Victorian Era, c.1837-1901, could be in the shape of a serpent, crafted in gold with a center gemstone. Queen Victoria had a ring just like that with an emerald in the center as her engagement ring. 

 

 

 

 

The Edwardian Era, c. 1901-1914, was known for its delicate workmanship in platinum, the king of metals. Platinum is known for its durability and malleability. It is the metal of preference for Master Jewelers whose skills are needed to make the finest details on a jewelry item, like milgraining, which would look like a row of tiny dots. A diamond engagement ring may have characteristics like garlands, ribbons and lace and decorated with diamonds in the mounting. Fine metal piercings might also be found in a ring from this time period. Ex: J35552

 

 

 

 

 

The Art Nouveau Era, c. 1890-1915, was known for its use of designs such as leaves, flowers, bugs and the shape of a woman’s face with flowing hair.  Plique-a-jour was a type of see through enameling that was used in conjunction with the features described above. Yellow gold was more common during that era and it worked beautifully with stones such as aquamarine, peridot, pearls, opals and diamonds. Ex: J36602

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Art Deco Era, c. 1920-1935, diamond engagement rings were enhanced with meticulous filigree and intricate designs. Platinum was the metal of choice. As with the Edwardian, Victorian and Art Nouveau Era, the Art Deco Era also used hand fabrication vs. casting, into the early 1930’s, to make its most delicate and complicated pieces of jewelry. Ex: J36842

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Retro Era, c. 1935-1950, was more well-known for its jewelry crafted in rose, yellow or green gold. Rings, for instance, were oversized and gemstones that were popular during that time were diamond, aquamarine, topaz, citrine, sapphire and often synthetic ruby. Ex: J35661

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, antique jewelry is extremely unique and because of that, you may never see two jewelry items alike in your lifetime! To be sure, not many of your friends will have jewelry like yours when you purchase beautiful Antique jewelry! 

 

 

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THE VALUE OF A NATURAL PEARL & EDWARDIAN ANTIQUE PEARL RING

by on May 30, 2018

A large natural pearl is considered the oldest and most valuable gemstone. When found, a single perfectly round natural pearl would be sold as a collector’s item because of its scarcity and considerable value. The larger the pearl, the more it is worth.

In 1520 B.C., a portion of a rare natural pearl was found in the sarcophagus of a Persian princess. This information is not surprising because natural pearls are not only considered extremely valuable but have been known to symbolize humility and purity. 

Another example of the value of a single pearl is the historical fact that the Roman general, Vitellius, sold one of his mother’s pearls to fund an entire war. Hard to believe, but true!

This dainty and feminine natural Antique pearl and diamond ring is from the Edwardian time period, circa 1901-1914. It has a 3.8mm pearl and is surrounded by .33ct. T.W. of Rose Cut diamonds with SI clarity and G-H color. Furthermore, the shoulders of this ring have a leaf design with prong set diamonds. Crafted in Platinum and 14 karat yellow gold, this is a classic and elegant Antique pearl ring. A perfect addition to any woman’s jewelry wardrobe.

 

J36468

5.30.18

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RETRO TIME PERIOD VINTAGE RETRO EARRINGS

by on May 25, 2018

All time periods have very distinctive styling. The Retro era (1935-1949) was no different. Jewelry was crafted mainly in 14 karat rose, green or yellow gold because Platinum was used to fund the war effort.  

The glamorous lifestyle of the Hollywood elite influenced the unique Retro Jewelry style of the fashion and jewelry industry. Bold and oversized gemstone cocktail rings, flamboyant earrings and necklaces as well as mesh or large charm bracelets were very popular! The stones of choice were aquamarines, topaz, citrine, sapphires of all colors and often synthetic rubies. Frequently, accenting diamonds were used. It was the age of exaggerated size and style. Jewelry houses, such as Cartier and Van Cleef and Arpels, were well known for the fabulous one-of-a-kind creations.  Many of these hard to find Retro designs have been melted down during the last decades. These seldom found and rare pieces are especially sought after today.

Here is a pair of bold, stylized shell-shape Retro earrings, created in 14 karat rose gold. Additionally, .12ct. T.W. of natural red rubies and .05ct. T.W. of single cut accenting diamonds with VS2-SI1 clarity and H color decorate the top of the earrings. Luscious Retro earrings with exquisite detail!

J36439

5.18.18

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SCRAP GOLD AND PLATINUM

by on May 8, 2018

Did you know that you can sell your precious metals, gold or platinum, for money or use as a trade-in for a piece of jewelry in our inventory that you would enjoy wearing? Trading in unwanted gold or platinum can have substantial value and could be worth much more than you would ever imagine!

We pay full value for platinum, 10k, 14k, 18k and 22k gold, based on the published price the day we receive it. We will weigh and calculate the value of your metal when received and communicate the results to you promptly. You will be surprised at how quickly the dollar value adds up.

We are particularly interested in older/antique jewelry and if you have something you are not wearing, we may pay substantially more than just the value of the metal. A quick picture of your older/antique jewelry, taken with your cell phone, is all we need to give you an idea of what we would be able to offer or allow you towards a trade-in. Our e-mail is gesner@gesner.com

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ART NOUVEAU TIME PERIOD ANTIQUE FASHION RING

by on April 27, 2018

 

The Art Nouveau time period, 1890 -1915, is a span of time which included curved and flowing lines which were inspired by nature. Images of leaves, flowers, certain insects like dragonflies and butterflies, birds like peacocks and swans and even women’s faces with beautiful hair affected the style of architecture, jewelry, fine art, furniture, glass and metalwork. As it relates to jewelry, the Art Nouveau time period embraced all of the above mentioned themes and this jewelry was often crafted in platinum as well as yellow gold. Often times, you would see enameling and the use of a variety of stones such as aquamarine, peridot, pearls, opal and diamonds, for example.  Plique-a-jour jewelry which has exquisite see-through enameling was extremely popular during that time as well. We will discuss this type of jewelry in a future blog. This ultra-feminine jewelry was unique and highly sought after then and still is to this day.

Here is a wonderful example of a magnificent Art Nouveau Antique Fashion ring that was crafted in 18 karat yellow gold and features a 1.33ct. round opal with a beautiful play of color. Notice the curved lines of the leaves, which are enameled, in this very wearable piece of artwork. It is fully marked with French gold hallmarks and has the maker’s mark, Delurret, a well known and respected producer of Art Nouveau jewelry.

J36898 – http://www.gesner.com/art-nouveau-1-33ct-opal-enamel-antique-fashion-ring-by-delurret-18k-yellow-gold.html

 

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A SPECIAL ART DECO DIAMOND ANTIQUE ENGAGEMENT RING

April 25, 2018

  The Art Deco time period, 1920-1935, is well known for specific styling of architecture, fashion and, in fact, everything material. In the early 1920’s, jewelry was created in platinum, the king of metals. Master jewelers took pride and valuable time, painstakingly, creating jewelry with the most detailed and intricate designs. Platinum was used because […]

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Gesner Estate Jewelry offers the finest Jewelry Repair and Watch Repair in Tampa and Largo, Florida

May 8, 2017

Gesner Estate Jewelry is a full service jewelry store with two locations in Tampa and Largo, Florida.  We offer everything from sales of beautiful and one-of-a-kind antique jewelry (specializing in engagement rings and wedding bands) as well as vintage and estate jewelry, such as gold and platinum bejeweled necklaces, earrings, bracelets and brooches, to jewelry […]

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